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Congrats to Tilda Swinton on her Oscar.

Yawn…another legal thriller.  Haven’t we seen these done to death.  Warner Brothers counted on Michael Clayton to be one of their big award nominated films last year.  It was good bet as the film and its cast and crew have nominated and won a slew of awards so far.  Smart, complex and edgy, Michael Clayton is wonderfully crafted with the right amount of who done it and will he will it.

Unlike other legal thrillers, Michael Clayton never steps foot inside a courtroom.  Michael (George Clooney) isn’t an attorney but rather a fix-it man for a high-powered New York law firm Kenner, Bach & Leeden.  He cleans up the messes that their clients leave behind.  Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) has spent the last six years making sure a case never comes to trail.  His single client is U/North, a chemical corporation trying to avoid a $3 billion class-action lawsuit over deadly pollutants.  When Arthur quits taking his meds for his bipolar disorder, Michael gets dispatched by Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack) to get Arthur back on track.

Arthur declares his breakdown isn’t from not taking his meds but an aphany he had that he can no longer defend a client he knows has committed crimes.  Michael has troubles of his own.  He owes lots of money to some very scary people and as crazy as Arthur may seems, he appears to be Michael’s only hope.  Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) doesn’t help matters any when she decides to take over for Michael.

After deftly writing the Jason Bourne franchise, first time director Tony Gilroy knows how to create a sharp, tense film.  Good writers don’t always make good director (I’m talking to you David Goyer).  Gilroy doesn’t have that problem.  Like the Bourne franchise, Gilroy keeps things fluid and constantly moving forward.  He knows how to make the best use of even the most simple of scenes.  It doesn’t hurt that he’s got more a-listers than most films released.  Clooney brings his a-game to the film and combined with stellar performances from Wilkinson and Swinton, Michael Clayton is an excellent piece of film.

Warner’s has once again skimped on extras, which only means a double dip will come out before year’s end.  Tony Gilroy and his brother editor John Gilroy offer of a meager commentary. It’s mostly the two of them kissing everyone’s butt.  There are also three additional scenes with optional commentary from the Gilroy’s.

People expecting another by the numbers Grisham-esque thriller will be happily surprised by Michael Clayton.  It’s an excellent bit of filmmaking that shows great promise from first time director Gilroy.  Hopefully, Michael Clayton won’t be a fluke and his next film will be equally as superb.

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